LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: California Attorney General Jerry Brown reacts as he speaks during a news conference on September 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Brown, who is also the democratic gubernatorial candidate, said his office has filed civil lawsuit against overpaid City of Bell officials. In the first legal action related to the Bell salary scandal, the lawsuit named eight top City of Bell officials and alleges civil conspiracy, fraud and waste of public funds. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** BEST PIX ***

Mayor Gavin Newsom shares his disappointment with media but is encouraged that the decision will be made in December rather than be pushed into 2011. "What do you say to a couple who has waited 30 years for this and already had their save the date cards mailed out. It's frustrating" said Newsom in reaction to the stay that was put on same sex marriages in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, August 16, 2010.

Photo: Chad Ziemendorf, The Chronicle

Mayor Gavin Newsom shares his disappointment with media but is...

Image 4 of 4

State Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, left, smiles during the discussion over his confirmation as California's lieutenant governor held at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, April 26, 2010. By a 25-7 vote the Senate approved Maldonado,42, who is expected to sworn in Tuesday, to l replace Democrat John Garamendi, who was elected to Congress last fall. At right is State Sen. Sam Aanestad, R-Grass Valley, who will challenge Maldonado for the Republican nomination for Lt. Gov. in the June primary.(Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Last week we had some fun with the ancient branch of Chinese medicine - Chinese face reading. Jane Haner is the author if "The Wisdom of Your Face" and a trained face reader. She looked at photos of local politicians, particularly candidates for mayor, and offered opinions.

Reactions were mixed. The typical response was, "Wow, she really nailed so-and-so but was way off on me."

This week Haner takes a look at statewide candidates. She says she didn't know who Abel Maldonado is, but admits that she is familiar with Jerry Brown, Meg Whitman and Gavin Newsom. No matter, she says, because she's only reading the faces of the subjects.

Again, this isn't science. Remember, when shown a photo of former Supervisor Ed Jew, who pled guilty to mail fraud, bribery and extortion, Haner had him pegged as "a cutie-patootie," who was most interested in the well-being of others.

Told that he served time in prison for the crimes, Haner asked, "Are you sure he didn't have a sick brother or something?"

On to the profiles:

Jerry Brown: "He has coach's eyebrows, very low to the eyes. He gets a little overinvolved in how the team does.

"He's kind of a loner and has difficulties expressing a warm and fuzzy image. But he has hot-button issues over fairness. It would really provoke him if someone was being treated unfairly.

"He has a little vertical line above his eyes. We call that a hanging blade. That suggests some difficulty with his father - maybe that he didn't completely bless his son. A lot of politicians have that."

Meg Whitman: "Oh my God, she has that amazing domed forehead. People with highly domed foreheads are strong, imaginative and institutive, but have very strong feelings.

"What you are seeing is the tip of the iceberg. She is probably a wonderful business manager because she will not say what should be said, but what is best for the company. The problem is she will assume that others are also saying one thing and doing another.

"Her feelings can be hurt far easier than you know. But she won't come to you and say, "You know last Tuesday when you said that about ....' She's more likely to turn it into a private vendetta."

Gavin Newsom: "I would say he is very big picture. He is also very high strung and anxious but can cover it up very well. He's a good talker. He can charm the pants off anybody, but can be manipulative.

"This is the classic leader's face: noble nose, high forehead, almost sculpted. It is very important for him to have respect and be liked by people.

"He has lots of interests. He's innovative and open-minded. But at the same time, he's a bit of a perfectionist and wants things just so. He's highly sensitive, even a little touchy, but at the same time, he can read people.

"His 20s were not that easy. The wrinkles on the forehead represent the 20s, and his are broken, not straight. Maybe he did some wild and crazy things."

Abel Maldonado: "This widow's peak is quite amazing. That's someone who is intuitive and innovative, but he also has strong emotions.

"He's someone who learns by doing. He's driven and opinionated. This guy does not give up. He's almost stubborn.

"The Chinese would say he's a water personality, so you would expect that he would rise to a prominent position in the Bay Area."

Well, because Maldonado is from Southern California, not the Bay Area, that looks like a swing and a miss. On the other hand, don't be so quick to dismiss the reading. After last week's column, a childhood friend of Jew's called to say that he actually did have a very sick relative at the time of his legal problems.

That is not something that was public at the time, but Haner, who had never heard of Jew, saw it in his face.